Property Showcase
Masterpiece on The Cliffs Words: Adrienne Matthews
T
hroughout a forty-year building career in the Nelson region, Darryl Gardiner has built and renovated some of the area’s most prestigious homes and light commercial premises. Very used to challenging sites and projects, Lyndsay and Campbell McManaway’s substantial renovation on The Cliffs was a job he and his team relished.
Tessa Jaine
The couple’s renovation wish-list included a new kitchen, an extension to the master bedroom and ensuite, an infinity swimming pool and spa linked to the main deck, a games room and bathroom downstairs with steps to the upper storey, a garage and new driveway onto the property.
Lyndsay and Campbell first viewed the property when it came up for sale four years ago. “We didn’t actually look in any detail at the house,” laughs Lyndsay. “It was the view that completely blew us away and, on that basis, we purchased it.”
The brief for the renovation was complex and aspirational and the team at Jerram Tocker Barron Architecture were engaged to produce the concept and plans. Making major structural changes to an existing home on a cliff with streets on three sides was always going to be challenging, but they came up with solutions that the McManaway’s were delighted with, particularly the curved infinity-edged pool two stories up from which to enjoy the panoramic views along with a wraparound terrace, perfect for entertaining.
The view is spectacular with its panorama from The Glen to the north across the entirety of the Boulder Bank south to Richmond and the hills and valleys beyond. The whole of Tasman Bay fans out in front with the western Nelson mountain range behind.
First to be renovated was the kitchen. Replacing the old-fashioned timber country look was a sleek new contemporary one by Manor Property Services. “We wanted a simplified kitchen that was open to everyone with a great breakfast bar,” says Lyndsay.
“When we came back to the house for another look, we realised we had purchased a dated four-bedroom nineties house with a lot of wasted space but great potential,” says Lyndsay.
The formica bench tops were replaced with highgloss, dark-stained solid oak in contrast to the white walls and lacquered black kitchen cabinetry. The major excavations below the existing house had to be
“We are very particular about listening carefully to what clients want and making the process as easy for them as possible, and this renovation was no exception,” he says.
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